Friends of Ripon Grammar School

The latest development has been the change in name from the PA to Friends of RGS, this change we feel reflects the diversity of modern family structures and the shortage of time experienced by many families. By becoming the Friends of RGS we are able to encompass grandparents and former students with the common interest of promoting the education of students within the school

Friends of Ripon Grammar School

The Friends of RGS is a group of parents who volunteer their time to raise funds to provide the children with equipment and facilities that are not provided for by the funding allocated to the school from the government.

What we do

We meet about every 4-6 weeks in term time to plan and discuss ways we can raise these funds and organise social events for parents. The committee needs the support of all parents either giving up some of their time or supporting the events we organise.

History of the Friends of RGS

In the records available to us we believe that the Parents’ Association started in October 1935. It would appear in the early days that the parents had to pay a subscription of 1 shilling per annum. In those days the money raised was for causes in the community but in 1937 the PA was asked to consider providing financial help for the school library. Throughout the history of the PA there have been periods of enthusiastic activity and other times when very little has been recorded. Since the 1980s the PA has been very active in raising funds for the school. The latest development has been the change in name from the PA to Friends of RGS, this change we feel reflects the diversity of modern family structures and the shortage of time experienced by many families. By becoming the Friends of RGS we are able to encompass grandparents and former students with the common interest of promoting the education of students within the school.

Joining the Friends of RGS

Friends are welcome to join at the annual general meeting in October or by sending the form below to friends@ripongrammar.com

At our meetings we put forward ideas for an event or activity, discuss it and, if it is considered viable, we plan, organise and implement it.

If you would like to help occasionally without being on the committee, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please download and complete our FRGS Needs You form. Your details will be placed on the relevant database and you will be contacted by email to see if you can help with refreshments at events or at parents’ evenings – the level of involvement or amount of time you give is up to you.

How you can find out what events are taking place

Details of meetings, the AGM, and events are available on the FRGS page of the school website. We also regularly send an update by email, have a feature in the RGS News, and a mention in the Headmaster’s termly letter. Why not join our facebook page?

The funds raised in the 2019/2020 school year will go towards the Classroom Refurbishment Project, launched at the end of the Summer Term, to reimagine two classrooms within school. The not unambitious target is £15,000.

These are some of the items that the FRGS provides/has provided:

  • Funding of the school mini bus
  • Annual maintenance of planters and the school pond
  • Replacement projector and screen for the main hall
  • Storage bins for the DT department
  • Autoclave for the Biology Department
  • Netball post covers and netball team dresses
  • Geography field trip equipment
  • Waterproof maps for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions
  • Visit by author Anabel Claridge
  • Violin and oboe scholarships
  • Language department equipment
  • Thai boxing kit
  • Costumes and props for Billy Elliot production
  • Fencing around science block
  • Replacement swimming pool lane ropes
  • Art department drying rack
  • Replacement 3D printer for DT department
  • Encyclopaedias
  • Second defibrillator for the main school
  • And many other varied and unusual items....

How you can help

Please see the separate page in the Friends of RGS section of the website.